A Grand Adventure

Going to the Grand Canyon has been on my bucket list...forever. Well, at least since I started thinking about bucket lists circa 2004. 

It's something that all of us have seen countless times in pictures and on TV. Most of us can visualize it perfectly. But no picture can ever convey just how majestic and grand it really is. Awe-inspiring. Breathtaking. Truly one of Wonders of the World. 

My mother and I were talking about how truly incredible this great rift in the middle of our country is one afternoon, remarking on how the first explorers must have felt when they came across such a landscape. It is enough to make you feel like you're at the end of the world. How overwhelming it must have been to come across such a sight. Thank goodness that there are those who won't let something like a several mile gorge stop them form seeing the world. I'd like to think that's how I approach both life and travel. There will be big holes in life, and huge canyons to cross, but just imagine what's on the other side.

 

A few recommendations:

Hiking: My group hiked partially down South Kaibab Trail from the top of the rim down a few thousand feet. The hike down actually took much longer- about 2.5 hrs due to excessive picture taking. The trek back up was much faster, as all any of us could think of was making it to the top and having a nice cocktail while watching the fast-approaching sunset.

Sleeping: We stayed at the Kachina Lodge in Canyon Village. It was basic, but clean and had killer views of the Canyon. If you want something with a little more character, try to stay at El Tovar Lodge, which was right next door to Kachina. 

Just Call Me Miss Outdoors

You might recall me mentioning that I spent my vacation a few weeks ago hiking through the wilderness with the BF. If you read my blog regularly, you might also recall that never-have-I-ever done anything remotely outdoors-y.

Well, friends, that all changed on my little vacation. 

The BF is quite the outdoorsman. He has some spiffy backpacks, tents, hiking boots, lanterns etc. that he used to put to good use. Then he became a big kid, and  those favorite pastimes took the backseat to working overtime, visiting his beautiful GF two hours away every other week, and using any free moments for some much deserved relaxing. The BF's one request for out few days together was to go hiking.

Well, you might be able to imagine I was a little apprehensive to this suggestion. I was hoping to flee to NYC for a few days of fun. This hiking thing was the exact opposite of my envisioned vacation.  I (not begrudgingly, of course) said that would be a fantastic idea! The BF had been so sweet to me working around my crazy work schedule, so why not do something he loves?

I loved it.

 Well, at first there might have been a few comments here or there about how clomping through the woods, sweating, and tripping over tree roots was not my idea of fun. However, once we got to the first look-out point, I was a changed woman! The views were incredible, especially with the fall foliage! 

I was a happy little camper climbing up the rest of the mountain, down the mountain, up another mountain, and down that mountain too.

Here are some pics I took from our adventure in the White Mountains of NH...

I can't wait to go on another hiking trip! 

Do any of you know some great hiking trails in New England for us to try?

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